My kid is Orlando.
My young adult daughter has gone to clubs like Pulse.
One of my kids was a student at Columbine (post tragedy).
We attend church, go to the movies, and school.
All places that seem safe–places for fun, for education, for worship.
All places where senseless heartache, terrorism, and tragedy have occurred.
My daughter is a self-proclaimed lesbian. (I prefer to say she is same-sex-attracted because I don’t think people should be identified by their sexuality. I believe identity is in Christ but that is a conversation for another time. ) This attack feels more personal because of that.
The mass shooting shakes all of us moms to our bones. We realize those who were gunned down are someone’s loved one, a daughter or son.
Children watch the news and wonder, “Why does this keep happening?”
I believe we need to turn the question into “How can we respond when these things occur?”
Mr. Rogers once said, “Look for the helpers.”
Encourage your kids, especially the young ones, to look for God’s hand in the midst of the tragedy, to seek God stories in the heartache. When we suffer, the Lord is near.
Orlando and beyond are stark reminders we live in a fallen world. We cannot always keep our kids safe so… we need to get them ready. How? By introducing Jesus to our kids. Ultimately, we want to know our kiddos are saved.
Here is a prayer in response to the Orlando Terror Attack:
Father,
You are sovereign over all. None of this ugliness is a surprise to you. Lord, I ask you to beckon my child to yourself. I pray you give comfort to the parents who have lost a child. I pray you give wisdom to those of us who have kids who identify as gay or lesbian. Please let each suffering parent know you are ever so close. Let the moms and dads who are in agony see you in the comfort others bring. Draw each of us close to you, dear Lord.
Amen.
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
Psalm 145:18
by,
Lori Wildenberg
Mentor mom at TMI, mom of 4, lead Mentor mom at MOMS Together, co-founder of 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting ,co-author of 3 parenting books including Raising Big Kids with Supernatural Love found at the 1C13P store or on Amazon. 
- 9 Ways to Raise a Rebellious Kid - December 14, 2016
- 9 Ways to Create a Rebellious Heart in Your Child - November 15, 2016
- The Creepy Clown Craze and Your Child - October 20, 2016
